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Thank you, Bro Card, you have helped me expand my love and reverence for the Savior: “Emanuel, God with us, as close as blood and bone.” Merry Christmas!
This was absolutely beautiful and perfect for what I needed to help me feel more in the Christmas spirit. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you for this wonderful essay. For those who haven’t heard, Brother Card and LDS composer Mark Mitchell have created a musical production based on some of his hymn texts titled “He Is There.” Having participated in the premier performance, I would like to recommend it to any LDS groups wanting to present an orchestra/choir/soloist evening of music and inspiration. It is a great piece and worthy of wide-spread performance.
Insightful and interesting. Notwithstanding the general parallels described above, as a Jewish child Yeshua is immersed in the disciplines particular to the day. Though raised devout, observant of rabbinic teachings and custom from circumcision to pre bar mitzvah, honed to temple worship and observance, schooled line upon line by the Law and its traditions, and endowed with prophetic expectation, His infant and young life is a fulfilment, and a fuller expression: ‘tender’, ‘strong in spirit’, ‘filled with wisdom’ ‘the grace of God upon him’.
We are in awe of the child, and the child in Him, for of such is the Kingdom of God.
I love Bro. Card’s books (I’ve read somewhere around 25 of them) and I love the insight he can bring to nearly any subject. I’ve always told people that Jesus probably broke his arm at some point (while saving a younger brother from being kicked by a donkey, perhaps) and he probably had the chicken pox. May not those specific things but his growing years were probably full of the things that are common to man.
And with regard to his being tempted, I like Hebrews 2:18, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” He suffered being tempted.
I will defend the Wise Men, though. They were following a star or a light leading them from the east, but when they got to Jerusalem, the light was no longer there. They began to ask around, causing such a commotion that even Herod became troubled by this serious inquiry into where the newborn King might be found. That’s how Herod found out.
It was Herod who summoned the Wise Men after consulting with the chief priests and scribes as to the prophecies and signs (“we have seen his star”) being spoken of.
On the sound information they received from Herod, the Wise Men made their way toward Bethlehem, and were overjoyed to once again have the guidance of the light, leading them directly to where Jesus would be found.
This found me in a week of depression, in which I cried daily, alone and – I felt – unwanted.
The sadness and loneliness is still with me, but it won’t last and I will. Just because you reminded me that He has felt this too. Thank you.
*jeep! and God Bless.
Green leaves all fallen, withered and dry;
Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky.
Lengthening shadows,
Dark closing in…
Then, through the stillness, carols begin!
Oh fallen world, to you is the song–
Death holds you fast and night tarries long.
Jesus is born, your curse to destroy!
Sweet to your ears, a carol of Joy!
Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold barren hillside, shrouded in snow;
Deep, empty valley veiled by the night;
Hear angel music–hopeful and bright!
Oh fearful world, to you is the song–
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong!
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound–
A carol of joy!
A Saviour is found!
Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies!
Look up sad hearted–witness God’s love!
Join in the carol swelling above!
Oh friendless world, to you is the song!
All Heaven’s joy to you may belong!
You who are lonely, laden, forlorn–
Oh fallen world!
Oh friendless world!
To you,
A Saviour is born!
(Eileen Berry)
I do not usually read the articles as soon as they are published, but could not resist clicking the link in the Interpreter email, while I sat in my cold car, waiting for my wife, in the Orem Harmons parking lot. My overall impression of Bro. Cards article is the starkness of the Word made flesh. His piece had me pondering Jesus’ life with a narrative beyond the written word of God, in essence, through the eyes and ears and minds of little children. I do not have children of my own, but I have nieces and nephews, and I teach primary with my wife. There is not a Sunday that goes by where I do not cry when I listen to the primary children sing. In their presence, I feel in His presence. This is how I think of the Christ child. I love Him and I know that He lives. Thank you Bro. Card.
How refreshingly basic, practical and believable. This child would cry to be fed, fall and skin his knees while playing, tease his younger brothers and sisters, get splinters in his hands while learning to be a carpenter and with all that and more be perfect. Thank you. He knows us. he understands us because he came to be one of us. His ultimate sacrifice and triumph allows for us to one day join him if we chose to follow his example. Again Thank you
I’ve long admired Bro. Card’s fiction–particularly its understanding of what makes functional communities, and the compassion and truth with which he treats all his characters–believer and skeptic, gay and straight, villain and hero. Anyone so kind to his make-believe fellows probably does even better in real life–or tries to, anyway. You can’t fake that kind of thing, any more than the above can be faked.
What a great read, perfect for the holiday season. As a birth doula, I have the privilege of working with birthing mothers and standing as a witness at the births of their little ones, so this essay really struck home for me. I especially appreciate the emphasis on coming to an understanding of Christ’s humanity–his emotions, feelings, struggles, triumphs–and on drawing closer to Him as we realize that though He is the best of us, He is still one of us. Will definitely be rereading this and pondering the implications this message has on my own relationship with the Savior.
While meeting with friends today, I heard that Orson Scott Card had published some fine reflections on the beginnings of the mortal life of the one I have chosen to follow and worship. The eventually brutal death of the matured adult upon whose birth Card reflects, and his eventual rising from the grave which thereby provides everyone with an eventual life after life, as well as, on condition, liberation from all forms of death that threaten the health of our souls. With his literary skills, Brother Card has added to my own joy today, that began with the pleasure of sharing some other seemingly belated but related good news. The victory over ills and evils is already but still not quite yet while we are still on probation.